Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

[rosssurf]

What do you think about a different magnet in my '78 bridge might do for me?

The double cream '78 is my current pickup in my PRS that I modified to be 4 conductor. I like the output and fullness but I find myself reaching for my tone and feeling like it is not al the way up. I know the A2 tends to be a softer, smoother, more mid heavy pickup. I am not usually a fan of A2's but this one is close I figure with a little tweak I could get where I want to be.

I wonder how the '78 would behave with an A4?, A5?.

I have tried the 59b - I like the attack and clarity alot , but wanted more mid. I tried a Seth, nice mid but not enough clarity for me, and was missing some of the crunch mojo I really like in the '59. I the tried a BB2 I liked that better than the Seth, but still not quite there. Then I went to an A4 in the '59 and really like what it did to reduce/flatten the "smiley face" e.q. of the '59 but felt it lost a little magic. I am not sure how to explain "magic" though

A little about my gear and tone preferences as a refference. I play an all mahogany PRS Mccarty. I does have a decent top end and is VERY light. I play through an early 90's Egnater ie4 into a VHT 2/50/2 with KT 77's on one side and =C='s on the other in a stereo configuration into a Bogner 4x12.
I like tone's from VHI to Zeppelin, ACDC. The guitar players I most admire are guys like Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore. If you can answer any of my questions I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your time.
Ross Tyrie
Baltimore Md

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

A normal A5 will be scooped like the '59. I would try an unoriented A5 first, it will be louder, but it won't totally change the character of the pickup. The bottom end will be tighter and the top will be more pronounced with the mids and compression being very similar to stock.

An A4 is pretty even EQ-wise with no boosted levels or anything, and it will still be louder than with the A2. Some people like them, to me it's meh, but I like the boosted mids thing (A2, UOA5, A8).

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

Yeah I'd prefer a bridge with more pronounced mids and a neck a bit more scooped. If I got the calibrated neck/bridge set and I was brave enough to do surgery on a $300 pickup set, I might think of the A8 bridge and an A5 in the neck.

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

I like the output and fullness but I find myself reaching for my tone and feeling like it is not al the way up.

So, you like the '78 as is but you'd like more bite? Why not look into changing caps or pots instead of messing with magnets? Use a lower value cap or a 1 meg pots.

 

[copperheadroads]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

that what i like about it .its the right recipe with the sweet A2

 

[MikeM]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

Unoriented A5 in the bridge, A3 in the neck. Will get you closer to where you want without the total character change of A8/A5

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

I have to agree with those above who say leave it alone. That pickup is designed to do something fairly specific without getting sued by a certain someone...

I'd fiddle with cheaper pickups that are of similar wind before jacking with those beauts.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

I would try an unoriented A5 first, it will be louder, but it won't totally change the character of the pickup. The bottom end will be tighter and the top will be more pronounced with the mids and compression being very similar to stock.

+1. King Izzo, you've become a protege of mine. :friday:

 

[Desert]

Re: Anyone tried magnet swaps in a '78?

I tried an A8 in a '78 once, it hurt my fillings.